Business owners and managers around the world like to save money. Electricity, natural gas, and water are three utilities that can drain a bank account fast. N-K Properties, Inc., a car wash business, based in Yankton, South Dakota wanted to improve the bottom line. The car wash business is a very utility hungry business, so energy efficient technology would benefit the business with increased comfort for employees and customers to significant dollar savings in energy, operation, and maintenance costs.

The design concept that N-K Properties was operating under for their energy efficiency improvements was – Save Mother Earth by saving resources. Working collaboratively with USDA Rural Development, N-K Properties, Inc. was able to integrate energy efficiencies into their operation with the installation of a wind turbine to generate electricity. The signage consists of Light Emitting Diode “LED” to save energy. In addition, geothermal heating and cooling equipment were installed for the building.

A Yankton, South Dakota car wash bought a wind turbine and cut its energy costs with support from USDA Rural Development

“I believe the wind turbine covers the cost of operation for our signage and electric pumping for our water recycling,” said John Keyes, Owner of N-K Properties, Inc. He continued, “To date, we have saved enough money to pay a cleaning person’s wages to maintain the facility on a daily basis.”

To find out more about how USDA’s energy programs can help your business reduce costs, click here. To read President Obama’s proclamation concerning Small Business Week, click here.